Langham1865

I love Sitka, was only there once but it grew on me fast, cute and quaint.  Make sure to see the church and Ashmo's food truck fish sandwiches were very good.  I hope they are still around as I went prior in 2018

I would echo that food and service (connected to staffing levels) are down across all but ultra luxury.  If you are willing to try the specialty restaurants a couple times, generally food will be better there.  I liked the stage shows on NCL better then I did on Celebrity when I tried them.  I did like Celebrity, but I sail solo most often so the studios became the initial selling point to me for sailing mostly NCL.  Although NCL used to have 2 Broadway type shows, It seems there is only one now on many ships.  I've never had a bad cruise, as hey, I'm on a cruiseship!

 I did this cruise December 2021 and the cruise itself was amazing even though we still had to mask up and had a late start due to an issue from the cruise prior delaying us to board.  Love following along as its bringing back memories!

2 hours ago, CTCruiser001 said:

Took a quick walk down to Frenchman Street...Hmm, the smell of warm piss fills the nostrils swiftly...We had planned to come here tonight and visit some of the Jazz Clubs, but now we are nixing that idea. Hanging out at Washington Square Park watching the locals playing with their kids and pups. Hmm...I smell Wacky Tobacky...🎺🎷🐕🌳

 

 

 

If you don't have dinner plans yet, Tableau by Jackson square is great!!!   And Café Beignet is wonderful as well and less tourist trap feeling...

Although I am not leaving NCL, I do like HAL quite a bit and will sail them more often now.  They have integrated many of the things I like about NCL for example interesting specialty dining (I love tamarind) and they have a great array of music.  HAL just doesn't have good stage shows.  And some of my favorite crew/officers have gone over to HAL.  

I've sailed Escape several times.  Even pre-covid, there always seems to be a slower bar somewhere.  I've found that the bar between Cagney's and Moderno (I forget the name) is usually slower.  Also the Cellars (Wine) bar on the Waterfront is often slower.  Just keep in mind you may need to travel to find a slower bar and not all bars are always open.  

Not going to poke the bear or bees nest on tipping.... as this thread could quickly turn into venting on both sides of tipping....

Thank you for the review.  I love the Escape, probably my favorite ship in the NCL fleet.  And I've sailed with Kivanc a few times and he is a wonderful officer!

Wow... back to topic.... Although my last cruise was December 2021 on Breakaway and totally what you asked... the lobster roll served on Getaway & Breakaway Ocean Blue take out window was pretty good... and I'm a New Englander, so high bar.  Caveats are I don't know if they modified the window recently and it has only been open on sea days from 12 noon - 2 pm, or something very similar (maybe 11-1)...

I agree with the people who say get there as early as you can and go right to headliners to make dining reservations.  There are plenty of places indoors to sit and rest and relax.  if you want to be outside and are worried about the sun, there are plenty of shady places to sit outside on deck 8.  Keep in ming 1/2 of deck 8 may be closed for bunkering.  

I'm a get to the pier early person... May as well get the most out of the time on board!!  9:30 am, even if I have to wait a bit to board, I like to enjoy as much time as I can on the ship, which is what we pay for!

18 hours ago, Grumpella said:

I am signing back in for 1 more comment before shutting down.

 

i was afraid this would happen. Our room steward told us today that because he doesnt have to do nightime service now, he has 22 cabins to clean instead of the previous 15 cabins.

 

Our cabin was not ready until 3 pm. I think passengers will start seeing more and more of this. I felt so bad for him, shame on NCL!!!

My parents were on Holland America and I think they are no longer doping a PM servicing of rooms and are up to 33 rooms!!!!!

Fun show!  Just don't say it 3 times!

Well... aside from booking something not booked.  Aside from the longer you wait to start the drive, there could be something along the drive to delay you.  

The reason I would get onboard, is I personally would rather nap on a deck chair on the ship then sleep late in a hotel room.   Personal preference there though.  Or on your balcony when the room is ready, IF you have a balcony.   

I liked Blue Man Group and Jersey Boys as well.   I liked Six last year on the Breakaway and Million Dollar Quartet, whenever it was I saw that.   Kinky Boots was entertaining.   Haven't seen Choir of Man, but heard great things.  Rock of Ages was entertaining too.  

Having been in the Studio cabins on both ships, I'd say I like them both.  Although the lounge is smaller on Getaway, it has all the same amenities, including a bar.  

On deck 8, the Waterfront (promenade deck), there is plenty of seating in the shade, including comfy padded sofas.  

I usually with get the drink package or dining package.  But I think this is a personal choice.  If you do not drink much, if at all, the drink package isn't worth it.  If you think you will be doing a lot of NCL excursions, they excursion credit may be worth it to you.  If you're going to be online a lot (I personally like to disconnect and can usually find free WIFI in the ports), you get my drift....  I personally love the specialty restaurants, so I think they are worth it.  

Norway 1X 

Dreamward 1X

Dawn 1X

Epic 4X

Breakaway 3X

Getaway 3X

Escape 4X

Sky 1X

never really been into mixed drinks or fancy cocktails... usually a Sam Adams Boston lager, Gin (Hendricks) and tonic or Ron Zacapa 23 neat (occasionally ice on the side).  

You are not credited with night until after your cruise, so your status doesn't change until after the cruise, not during.

at these prices, I was willing to take the risk and buy enough stock to sell some at a gain for the total amount of shares I bought, and keep the 100 shares for the OBC if/when the price gets to an amount I think will be worth it.  Granted, it may be a while for the price to go up that much, if it ever does.  

10 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Thanks for posting!  While I love the freedom of choice, I’m so disappointed about the rule for solo travellers.  

Agreed... that is a big disappointment!!!! 

Since the Itinerary isn't a difference maker, I usually look at price and which port they leave from (if different I look at ease and cost of getting to the port).  

On a purely ship comparison basis, I personally take Escape.  Though not a deal breaker, I like Moderno (on Escape) to having a Mexican restaurant (Los Lobos on Encore).  To me the Observation Lounge (on Encore not Escape)is something I wouldn't use on a Caribbean cruise.

What makes a difference to my personal cruise experience between the 2 ships is I normally really enjoy Howl at the Moon (dueling piano bar) that is on Escape and not Encore.  So all else being equal, that is my 2 cents as to which to choose....

I will say I have only sailed on HAL once, but I had the best grilled cheese that I've had at sea when I went.  I also liked the burger at the Dive in!  

you might want to check out this "live review" for up to date info... the poster seems pretty good at replying to questions too!!!

3 hours ago, drbeamer said:

Not to date myself…..😬…..but I cruised on the SS Norway

I guess we are dating ourselves... ditto... my first cruise in the 1980's

I would say:  

1) Specialty dining

2)Spa treatments... massages for me

3)Gift shop items (I collect ship fridge magnets)

4) for fee games, mostly bingo and Deal or no Deal